Think Progress

ThinkFast: April 10, 2009

By Think Progress on Apr 10th, 2009 at 9:00 am

ThinkFast: April 10, 2009


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The CIA announced it would close the secret overseas prisons where terrorists suspects were tortured. However, “in a statement to employees, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”

Yesterday, Obama said that “his administration will create an electronic record for veterans that will ‘contain their administrative and medical information from the day they first enlist to the day that they are laid to rest.’” “When a member of the armed forces separates from the military, he or she will no longer have to walk paperwork from a DOD duty station to a local VA health center,” Obama explained.

President Obama has asked Congress “to act quickly on his $83.4 billion request for U.S. military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.” With a time line for withdrawal from Iraq in place, Democrats “are sure to pass his request.” The Congressional Research Service notes that the measure “would push the cost of the two wars to almost $1 trillion since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.”

Gen. David Petraeus, head of the U.S. Central Command, yesterday said that the U.S. military “will increase its presence near the Horn of Africa within 48 hours,” as a hostage stand-off with Somali pirates continues. American ship captain Richard Phillips “tried to escape by jumping into the sea, but was quickly recaptured” by the four pirates who have been holding him.

“Economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey expect the recession to end in September, though most say it won’t be until the second half of 2010 that the economy recovers enough to bring down unemployment.” They predicted that unemployment will keep rising, reaching 9.5 percent by December.

“Slowly but surely,” President Obama’s $787 billion economic recovery package “is beginning to percolate nationwide, six weeks after” he signed the legislation. Some of the money is arriving quickly, such as $337 million for community health clinics, but “White House officials say the bulk of the money will start hitting the streets later this year and early next.” The goal is to spend 70 percent of it by the summer of 2010.

The ailing financial and retail sectors showed tentative signs of strength yesterday, as financial markets “surged” with the news that Wells Fargo had earned record profits from January to March. Though yesterday’s data offer “some hope that the darkest days of the recession could be ending,” the recession “remains severe, and economists stress that the worst for U.S. workers is still to come.”

A new study by Environment America predicts that global warming “could rob the U.S. economy of $1.4 billion a year in lost corn production alone.” The study, based on government and university data, “projects that warming temperatures will reduce yields of the nation’s biggest crop by 3% in the Midwest and the South compared with projected yields without further global warming.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported yesterday that “[e]fforts to reduce the number of food-borne illnesses in the United States have stalled in the past three years, and some illnesses are on the upswing.” The CDC found that “the rate of infection for several bacteria had been dropping until about 2004, when the numbers began rising again or leveled off.”

And finally: Stephen Colbert has hurt Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL) feelings. Last month, Posey introduced legislation requiring presidential candidates to present a valid birth certificate before running for office. His bill — inspired by right-wing hysteria over Obama — has yet to receive a co-sponsor. Colbert recently lambasted Posey, saying that he should take a DNA test to prove he isn’t “part alligator.” Posey is now upset, telling the Orlando Sentinel, “I expected there would be some civil debate about it, but it wasn’t civil. Just a bunch of name-calling and personal denigration. … There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

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88 Responses to “ThinkFast: April 10, 2009”

  1. AIO grasshopper says:

    $83.4 more billion?


  2. noseeum says:

    Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL)
    “There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.””

    You could lay to rest the illegitimacy issue by providing a birth certificate…


  3. gummble-bee-itch says:

    Posey is now upset, telling the Orlando Sentinel, “I expected there would be some civil debate about it, but it wasn’t civil. Just a bunch of name-calling and personal denigration. … There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

    Posey is a delicate flower!

    And a complete moron.


  4. tom says:

    Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL)
    “There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

    Posey completely misses the point here. It’s entirely possible that his grandmother and the alligator were married at the time. After all, we are talking about Florida here.


  5. bonzo 1958 says:

    illegitimate grandson of an alligator.

    More like a cross between a hyena and a jackass.


  6. AIO grasshopper says:

    Five (5) more American soldiers killed in Iraq today.
    $83.4 more billion (supplemental; where have I heard that before?), and many, many more Friedman Units left to go.

    :-(


  7. misscoleopteramolly says:

    “Last month, Posey introduced legislation requiring presidential candidates to present a valid birth certificate before running for office.”
    ___________________________________________________________

    Even if absurd legislation like this came into law, it wouldn’t stop the silliness. There would be endless disagreements over the word “valid” and what it means.

    Case in point — Obama’s Hawaii birth certificate. Obama presented it, put it on his website for all to see, and allowed organizations like FactCheck.org and others to examine it for authenticity. Yet right-wingers still claimed it was a fake. No matter how much “proof” one provides, people will still believe what they want to believe.

    It would be better for the country to put forth a constitutional amendment abolishing the “natural-born” requirement for POTUS and VPOTUS. Obama’s not the only one who’s been caught in this “is he a natural-born citizen?” insanity. McCain was also the subject of this kind of controversy because he was born in Panama (but to American parents on an American military base). And even Barry Goldwater caught some flak because he was born in Arizona three years before it became a U.S. state.

    Candidates have absolutely no control over where they’re born. And when we choose our President, there are far more important factors to consider. It’s time to do away with this requirement.


  8. RantingTommy says:

    Maybe Posey is just really a Pansy


  9. Exit Stage Left says:

    “Economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey expect the recession to end in September, though most say it won’t be until the second half of 2010 that the economy recovers enough to bring down unemployment.” They predicted that unemployment will keep rising, reaching 9.5 percent by December.

    Most unemployed people I know have pretty much given up due to having exhausted all options. Most cannot even get an interview. I know of only one person that has gotten a new job in the last year, and that was with the inside help of a friend. I’m self-employed and have worked a grand total of two weeks this year. I’m not even part of the statistics. My clients are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. I’m one of many I know who have been forced to cash in retirement funds to stay out of foreclosure. From where I’m sitting, the stimulus/bailout/ripoff hasn’t done squat for working or poor people. However, I’ve yet to see a boarded up million dollar home. I’m pretty sure I know who/what is being stimulated thus far.


  10. misscoleopteramolly says:

    However, “in a statement to employees, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”
    ___________________________________________________________

    Ah — the “they were only following orders” rationale. OK, then. Can we go after the persons who GAVE those orders? Pretty please?


  11. barracks9 says:

    RantingTommy Says:

    Maybe Posey is just really a Pansy

    Posey isn’t half the man that pansies I know are…


  12. larkohio says:

    Pirates! And it looks like we can’t do very much about it, or don’t we want to? How about the other countries? Could they help out here, or is the world going to continue to allow these criminals to act with no consequences? Ridiculous!


  13. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    However, “in a statement to employees, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”
    _____________

    Well, can we at least investigate and punish the people IN the Justice Department who MADE their actions legal?

    If this torture goes unpunished, then we are all guilty.


  14. Bozo The Neocootiebug says:

    “I expected there would be some civil debate about it, but it wasn’t civil. Just a bunch of name-calling and personal denigration. … There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

    typical whiny assed repukie, can dish it but can’t take it.


  15. Rodeskawler says:

    The Horn of Africa. Hmmm, Seems like a potential opportunity for payed mercenaries that are allowed pack weapons that regular American are forbidden to have in places like New Orleans.

    Maybe we can convince Blackwater to move their arsenal facilities out of America and to Dubai, and take their jackboots overseas and far away from the vicinity of our civil rights.

    Also, I wonder if Bush had declared baby rape legal, if Obama would still protect his criminal ass.


  16. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    larkohio Says:

    Pirates! And it looks like we can’t do very much about it, or don’t we want to? How about the other countries? Could they help out here, or is the world going to continue to allow these criminals to act with no consequences? Ridiculous!

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:15 am
    __________

    Other countries have helped in the past, in their regions. Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia have partnered to combat piracy that was once rampant in the Straits of Malacca – a major international shipping route.

    The difficulty with Somalia is that there’s no government to work with (thanks in no small part to us).


  17. Exit Stage Left says:

    larkohio Says:
    Pirates! And it looks like we can’t do very much about it, or don’t we want to?

    If we can’t stop 4 yahoos in a rowboat, what chance do we stand in Iraq or Afghanistan? Or with Iran and North Korea.


  18. Bobwurst says:

    misscoleopteramolly Says:

    However, “in a statement to employees, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”
    ___________________________________________________________

    Ah — the “they were only following orders” rationale. OK, then. Can we go after the persons who GAVE those orders? Pretty please?

    I couldn’t help but notice that Panetta said “Should” not be investigated, not “will” not be investigated. They’re leaving that door open in case they need to throw some little people under the bus. Does Lindsey England ring a bell?


  19. Peter C says:

    ” There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

    I’m not so sure. We should see what Murphy Brown has to say on the matter.

    sheeesh!


  20. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Exit Stage Left Says:

    If we can’t stop 4 yahoos in a rowboat, what chance do we stand in Iraq or Afghanistan? Or with Iran and North Korea.

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
    ____________

    And those fools at the Pentagon laughed when I suggested we train a fleet of dolphins with lasers strapped to their heads to fight rowboat pirates. They said I was MAD, they said. Well WHO’S LAUGHING NOW!?!?!


  21. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Dr. Moth Matt Says:

    Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) puts the number of socialists in the House at 17.

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:23 am
    ____________

    Only seventeen people voted for the TARP bailout? How the heck did it pass, then?


  22. Exit Stage Left says:

    chiroptera toasterhead Says:
    And those fools at the Pentagon laughed when I suggested we train a fleet of dolphins with lasers strapped to their heads to fight rowboat pirates. They said I was MAD, they said. Well WHO’S LAUGHING NOW!?!?!

    Where the hell is Dr. Evil when we really need him? :)~


  23. Bobwurst says:

    Exit Stage Left Says:

    If we can’t stop 4 yahoos in a rowboat, what chance do we stand in Iraq or Afghanistan? Or with Iran and North Korea.

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:18 am
    ____________

    And those fools at the Pentagon laughed when I suggested we train a fleet of dolphins with lasers strapped to their heads to fight rowboat pirates. They said I was MAD, they said. Well WHO’S LAUGHING NOW!?!?!

    Funny :-), but it’s the same theory that makes IEDs so dangerous…


  24. freeman says:

    Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”
    No investigations , no court cases allowed to proceed on wire tapping or extraordinary rendition , an escalation of the war in Afghanistan .
    thanx for the love ……


  25. Bozo The Neocootiebug says:

    i find it ironic a representative from alaska would point the socialist finger at anyone considering their governor socializes the windfall tax revenue from the oil companies there and cuts every resident a check.


  26. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Bobwurst Says:

    Funny :-), but it’s the same theory that makes IEDs so dangerous…

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:27 am
    __________

    IEDs? Infrared Emitting Dolphins? Surely the pirates don’t have access to such technology!


  27. Uncle Bob says:

    How is the Stimulus plan goin to help me? I haven’t gottrn any money, This is going to go to big Corporations that outsource jobs.



  28. unbelievable says:

    Dr. Moth Matt Says: Beck imitates Obama pouring gasoline on “average American”; says: “President Obama, why don’t you just set us on fire? … We didn’t vote to lose the Republic”

    Only in America could a complete mental case get his own show. That guy seriously needs a straight jacket and some Lithium…


  29. RealityCheck says:

    Pirates! And it looks like we can’t do very much about it, or don’t we want to? How about the other countries? Could they help out here, or is the world going to continue to allow these criminals to act with no consequences? Ridiculous!

    God forbid we use our NAVY…to actually do their job…instead of acting like a country that is scared of 4 men in a rowboat.

    And those fools at the Pentagon laughed when I suggested we train a fleet of dolphins with lasers strapped to their heads to fight rowboat pirates. They said I was MAD, they said. Well WHO’S LAUGHING NOW!?!?!

    They laughed at you BECAUSE you are a tool!

    Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) puts the number of socialists in the House at 17.

    Only 17? I thought there were more democRATs in congress then 17.

    The difficulty with Somalia is that there’s no government to work with (thanks in no small part to us).

    One thing you can always depend on in this site is that eventually every thing wrong in the world…comes back to being OUR FAULT.

    Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL)
    “There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.””

    You could lay to rest the illegitimacy issue by providing a birth certificate

    One could say the same thing about B.O….but we all know how that was handled. BADLY


  30. Uncle Bob says:

    Freeman,
    Great article! This just proves that Think Progress is just Propaganda organ. It should be called Think Pravda!


  31. freeman says:

    Toast ,
    I’m fairly sure you use TP’s sister site Middle East Progress .Norton anti virus has it as an unsafe site , do you have any problems with it ?


  32. Bozo The Neocootiebug says:

    “No doubt Murdoch hates America.”

    honestly, i don’t think he cares either way. murdoch’s a whore, once shows like becky’s start losing money, you’d be surprised how quickly they get dropped


  33. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    freeman Says:

    Toast ,
    I’m fairly sure you use TP’s sister site Middle East Progress .Norton anti virus has it as an unsafe site , do you have any problems with it ?

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:38 am
    ______________

    Never heard of it.


  34. misscoleopteramolly says:

    Dr. Moth Matt Says
    April 10th, 2009 at 9:23 am

    His name is Spencer Bachus and he has made a list — a secret list! — of the socialists in the House of Representatives.
    ___________________________________________________________

    Hmmm…who does this remind me of? It seems there was a politician back in the 1950s who exploited the fear of communism for political gain — Joe McCarthy. He was really big on “secret lists”, which he waved around in speeches all the time. Of course, he never made public any of his lists (and the numbers he gave were different every time he spoke), and he could have been waving around a grocery shopping list, for all we know. Of course, actual lists did pop up, such as the Hollywood Blacklist — populated with names turned over by professional rivals and generally paranoid people.

    The effect was to instill a great deal of fear in the American people by convincing them that 1) Communists are EEEEEEEEEEVIL, and 2) they’re everywhere! they’re everywhere! nobody is safe! As a result, we saw that the FEAR of Communism did far more damage to our country and our society than a fringe minority political party ever did, or could.

    I guess that Bachus is going to demonize the term “socialism” for McCarthy redux. And he’s counting on the lessons learned from that time to have been forgotten. None of his followers will be able to define socialism, but they will all believe it’s something really, really, really bad — even if they won’t be able to say why.


  35. sscncturn64 says:

    If Beck wasnt a lying rightwingnut and he was acting like a lunatic from the left, im sure some gun toting rightwingnut would have shut him up by now. The man is dangerous.


  36. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    RealityCheck Says:

    The difficulty with Somalia is that there’s no government to work with (thanks in no small part to us).

    One thing you can always depend on in this site is that eventually every thing wrong in the world…comes back to being OUR FAULT.

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:37 am
    ____________

    No, not everything. Just the stuff our government gets its fingers into. And one of those things was Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia and overthrowing of the Islamist government that was finally bringing a tiny bit of order to Moghadishu.


  37. Uncle Bob says:

    chiroptera,
    No, not everything. Just the stuff our government gets its fingers into. And one of those things was Ethiopia’s invasion of Somalia and overthrowing of the Islamist government that was finally bringing a tiny bit of order to Moghadishu.

    Do you support Islamist sharia type regimes? If so would be ok with one here in America?


  38. freeman says:

    Toast,
    I am ashamed to say that while I did recently see Morocco it was across 9 miles of water and from the top of the rock ! This was entirely due to the fact that since we didn’t book a place to stay for a couple weeks we would have only gone to Tangier for the day and the ferry cost nearly $500 for the 5 of us , which seemed extravagant .


  39. wags camponotus saundersi says:

    Do you support Islamist sharia type regimes? If so would be ok with one here in America?

    Do you enjoy asking irrational leading questions?


  40. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Uncle Bob Says:

    Do you support Islamist sharia type regimes? If so would be ok with one here in America?

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
    _________

    If it’s what the people want, sure.


  41. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    freeman Says:

    Toast,
    I am ashamed to say that while I did recently see Morocco it was across 9 miles of water and from the top of the rock !

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
    ___________

    Bummer. That is expensive… Yeesh! :(

    Still, Spain’s not too shabby, either. I hope to make that our next trip abroad.


  42. RealityCheck says:

    Uncle Bob Says:

    Do you support Islamist sharia type regimes? If so would be ok with one here in America?

    April 10th, 2009 at 9:51 am
    _________

    If it’s what the people want, sure.

    Well at least you admit to being an idiot


  43. RantingTommy says:

    It would be more newsworthy if a Republican were to STOP fear-mongering and scaring the dittoheads.

    One thing you can always count on: Republican cowardice.


  44. Marie says:

    OMG, The Repugs (Posey) really are dense aren’t they?

    Then again, if he would just produce a birth certificate with a proper seal on it, he could lay the matter to rest.


  45. RantingTommy says:

    Hey RealitySpeck: BOO!

    now go change your undies and get some learnin’ so you won’t be so easily frightened next time


  46. Marie says:

    noseeum, I apologize – I see you said nearly the same thing earlier – I didn’t see it.


  47. Marie says:

    Exit Stage Left Says

    Sadly, I agree. It’s been 6 months for my college educated son who rarely even can land an interview and on the rare occasion he does, it seems to be an exercise in frustration.


  48. freeman says:

    Apparently you can fly to Marakeesh from Germany on Ryan air for about 150 bucks .


  49. Marie says:

    Dr. Moth Matt,
    Why the FCC allows Beck to remain on TV is beyond me. Murdoch and Ailes won’t fire him – they love his ratings (it’s the lunatic appeal)- but someone must step in and stop this guy before any more mayhem occurs at his instigation.


  50. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    RealityCheck Says:

    Well at least you admit to being an idiot

    April 10th, 2009 at 10:00 am
    __________

    No I didn’t. You did.


  51. RealityCheck says:

    It would be more newsworthy if a Republican were to STOP fear-mongering and scaring the dittoheads.

    One thing you can always count on: Republican cowardice.

    Republicans do not have a problem joining the military and defending America unlike the snot nosed liberal self centered cry babies who think being brave is running down their country while drinking their Starbucks coffee. It has to hurt knowing you are the REAL COWARDS


  52. wags camponotus saundersi says:

    Republicans do not have a problem joining the military and defending America unlike the snot nosed liberal self centered cry babies who think being brave is running down their country while drinking their Starbucks coffee. It has to hurt knowing you are the REAL COWARDS

    Yawn.


  53. freeman says:

    Like dick cheney or Geo Bush ?


  54. freeman says:

    Cowards, idiots ……… do a little projecting ?


  55. RantingTommy says:

    wow, did you see RealitySpeck dissing all the liberal soldiers?

    so, realityspeck, you cowardly little right wing crybaby, when and where did YOU serve?


  56. Uncle Bob says:

    chiroptera,
    So if Americans wanted to have a Christian Theocracy, you would be cool with that also?


  57. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    RealityCheck Says:

    Republicans do not have a problem joining the military and defending America unlike the snot nosed liberal self centered cry babies who think being brave is running down their country while drinking their Starbucks coffee. It has to hurt knowing you are the REAL COWARDS

    April 10th, 2009 at 10:16 am
    __________

    You don’t? Well, good – here are some links to help you out:

    http://www.goarmy.com
    http://www.navy.mil
    http://www.marines.mil
    http://www.airforce.com

    Have fun in basic training! :)


  58. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Uncle Bob Says:

    chiroptera,
    So if Americans wanted to have a Christian Theocracy, you would be cool with that also?

    April 10th, 2009 at 10:27 am
    __________

    No – I hate Christians. I’m a secular Muslim progressive. Duh! :)


  59. PatrioticLiberalChristianMantisReligiosa says:

    Rep. Bill Posey’s (R-FL)
    “There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.””

    OK, you are right. We apologize for calling you illegitimate. We just thought you didn’t want to bring up the one-man-one-woman thing that your ancestors didn’t follow.


  60. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >Also, I wonder if Bush had declared baby rape legal,

    One of the guys who was giving bush legal advice, Yoo, has esentially implied that the president could sexually torture children legally if he deemed it necessary….theres a reason why some people are fighting tooth and nail to keep these legal “opinions” from coming to public light..


  61. The Republic of Hymenoptera Stupidity says:

    watchdog Says:

    What ignorant racist pizza maker. How dare he make a pizza with chicken and hot sauce for a black man. The Left should be appalled by this blatantly racist gesture made by this pizza man.
    ____________

    You do realize what a desperate, grasping fool you look like when you latch onto such a trivial detail and try to blow it so out of proportion?

    I’m taking it that you’re STILL struggling w/ the fact the GOP got beaten like a little tin drum last November. Sore loser, huh? Take heart, li’l feller. You’re not alone. A lot of righties are having a hard time coming to grips w/ being out of power.

    As John Stewart said the other night, “Losing is SUPPOSED to taste like a S*!t taco!”


  62. The Republic of Hymenoptera Stupidity says:

    RealityCheck Says:

    Republicans do not have a problem joining the military and defending America unlike the snot nosed liberal self centered cry babies…
    _____________

    Cool… talk about Silly, w/ a capital “S”!!!!


  63. stateofthedivision says:

    The article on food safety noted three factors:

    1. intricacy of the U.S. food chain
    2. the changing nature of the contaminating bacteria
    3. and the rise in imported food

    The problem is producers don’t know how to ensure quality, the emphasis is on maximizing short term profit. Yet, poor quality can kill an industry. Peanut butter sales fell 25% after the second major salmonella outbreak.

    Poor management practices lead to unsafe food for consumers. As part of the federal government, the FDA and CDC likely employ those same practices. Buyer beware won’t change anytime soon. It’s spreading to health care and education.


  64. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >”Obamas fly in chef 860 miles…
    > just to make pizza

    your prefer a president who flies 8000 miles to serve the troops a plastic turkey?


  65. Chocolate Jesus says:

    > Republicans do not have a problem
    > joining the military and
    > defending America unlike

    Dare to guess whether theres more republicans or democrats in congress who served?

    Dare to guess whether Mccain or Obama got more donations from soldiers?


  66. Tweedster says:

    RealityCheck Says:

    Republicans do not have a problem joining the military and defending America unlike the snot nosed liberal self centered cry babies who think being brave is running down their country while drinking their Starbucks coffee. It has to hurt knowing you are the REAL COWARDS

    Karl Rove: did not serve.

    Paul Wolfowitz: did not serve.

    Richard Perle: did not serve.

    Douglas Feith: did not serve.

    Eliot Abrams: did not serve.

    Ari Fleischer: did not serve.

    Andrew Card: did not serve.

    Ken Adelman: did not serve.

    Don Evans: did not serve.

    Michael Ledeen: did not serve.

    Elliott Abrams: did not serve.

    John Bolton: did not serve.

    Rudy Giuliani: did not serve.

    George Pataki: did not serve.

    John G. Roberts, Jr.: did not serve.

    Samuel Alito: did not serve.

    Antonin Scalia: did not serve.

    Clarence Thomas: did not serve.

    Rush Limbaugh – sought deferment (because of a cyst on his tail end).

    Rush’s conservative brother) David Limbaugh: did not serve.

    George Will – sought graduate school deferment, (too smart to die).

    Pat Buchanan – sought deferment (for bad knee).

    Pat Robertson – his US Senator father got him out of Korea as soon as the shooting began.

    John Wayne obtained deferments (but to his credit, it was for good, not superficial, reasons.

    Sean Hannity: did not serve.

    Bill O’Reilly: did not serve.

    Matt Drudge: did not serve.

    Steve Forbes: did not serve.

    Tony Snow: did not serve.

    Michael “Savage” Weiner: did not serve.

    Brit Hume: did not serve.

    Mitch McConnell, the current Republican leader in the U.S. Senate: did not serve.

    Bill Frist,, the former Republican leader in the U.S. Senate: did not serve.

    Trent Lott, the former Republican leader in the U.S. Senate: avoided the draft, did not serve.

    Saxby Chambliss: did not serve. “Bad knee” He defeated tripelegic Democratic war hero Max Cleland by questioning his patriotism!

    George W. Bush – used his family connections (what else is new?!?) to get into the Air National Guard and then “deserted” his post for two years. but still got an “Honorable Discharge”.
    see AWOL from National Guard Duty

    Dick Cheney – sought graduate school deferment, (too smart to die).

    Roger Ailes: did not serve.

    Chris Matthews: did not serve.

    Neil Boortz : did not serve.

    Paul Gigot: did not serve.

    Bill Kristol: did not serve.

    Ralph Reed: did not serve.

    Michael Medved: did not serve.

    Charlie Daniels: did not serve.

    Anne Coulter: did not serve.

    Jerry Falwell: did not serve.

    Alan Keyes : did not serve.

    Ted Nugent: did not serve.

    Mitt Romney, former governor of Massachusetts, and since presidential candidate: did not serve.

    Arnold Schwarzenegger: AWOL from Austrian army base.

    Marc F. Racicot, former Montana governor and attorney general, Bush reelection chairman and former head of the Republican National Committee

    Don Rumsfeld: served in Navy (1954-57) as flight instructor.

    Kenneth Starr : sought deferment (for psoriasis).

    Bill Bennett : sought graduate school deferment, (too smart to die).

    Ted Olson, (Starr’s assistand, and since Solictor General)


  67. Chocolate Jesus says:

    >The Left should be appalled

    I’m apalled at the thought of a chicken and hotsauce pizza…simply for the sake of my arteries..

    Don’t you have any important articles like the one about gay dogs you felt the need to share with us..?


  68. Tweedster says:

    watchpup:

    Progressives tell blacks what they are supposed to be offended about all the time. So by pointing out this article I am making your job a little easier. And my reasoning is based on past TP articles And numerous racist accusations based on food.

    Such as?

    The “No Easter Egg Hunt This Year” e-card with watermelons growing on the WH lawn?


  69. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    watchdog Says:

    Progressives tell blacks what they are supposed to be offended about all the time. So by pointing out this article I am making your job a little easier. And my reasoning is based on past TP articles And numerous racist accusations based on food.

    April 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
    ____________

    You really have no concept whatsoever as to what racism is, do you?


  70. tombaker says:

    Oh hogwash, you are so very tedious.

    Anyone besides dogwash,

    How would/could we really know whether a CIA “Black Site” was open for business or not?

    That is the whole point of those places, isn’t it?

    For that matter, could a President know? Could anyone?


  71. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    Chocolate Jesus Says:

    I’m apalled at the thought of a chicken and hotsauce pizza…simply for the sake of my arteries..

    April 10th, 2009 at 11:15 am
    ____________

    Actually, capsaicin (the stuff in hot sauce that makes it hot) is being studied for a number of health benefits, and may help fight obesity, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. And chicken is generally much lower in fat and cholesterol than more conventional pizza toppings like pepperoni or sausage.

    So, really, it’s the pizza part that you should be concerned with.


  72. Tweedster says:

    Hey watchdog, you’re “stories” have gotten weaker and weaker and weaker…are you feeling OK?


  73. Tweedster says:

    Hey watchdog, your “stories” have gotten weaker and weaker and weaker…are you feeling OK?


  74. Tweedster says:

    watchdog:

    I thought I did until I started reading Liberal web sites for the laughs, and then it dawned on me that people really believe this crap. Its still very entertaining.

    Has it dawned on you that your gadfly tactics thoroughly prove how little you bring to the table as far as ideas or principles?


  75. chiroptera toasterhead says:

    watchdog Says:

    You really have no concept whatsoever as to what racism is, do you?

    I thought I did until I started reading Liberal web sites for the laughs, and then it dawned on me that people really believe this crap. Its still very entertaining.

    April 10th, 2009 at 11:35 am
    ____________

    I’ll just take that as a “no,” then. Just as I thought.


  76. wags camponotus saundersi says:

    No, I am sick. I have a mild case of the rickets. But the doctors say if I stay out of the sun for about a month it will heal itself. Lets all keep our fingers crossed.

    Despite our differences, I do wish you the best in your recovery.


  77. Eugene atrax robustus Debs says:

    watchdog Says:

    I hope you get better but you are still a liar and an ignorant punkass troll


  78. wags camponotus saundersi says:

    Though I find it odd that you’d be recommended to stay out of the sun, as Rickets, to my knowledge is due to a vitamin D deficiency. Spending time in the sun tends to promote vitamin D production…


  79. Marie says:

    Bravo, Tweedster.
    Reality check needs a reality check.


  80. Keith H. says:

    “in a statement to employees, the agency’s director, Leon E. Panetta, said agency officers who worked in the program ‘should not be investigated, let alone punished‘ because the Justice Department under President George W. Bush had declared their actions legal.”

    Well then, it must be the Justice Department or President George W. Bush that is held accountable.
    Surely just because they ‘declared their actions legal’ doesn’t make it so.
    So tell me, when does the investigation begin ?
    I’m all a-quiver with excitement .


  81. Eugene atrax robustus Debs says:

    wags camponotus saundersi Says:

    Hey thats right. Good catch I thought exposure to moderate sunlight was a TREATMENT for rickets


  82. WaltTheMan says:

    Eugene atrax robustus Debs,
    It’s the old neocon opposite meaning syndrome: when the doc said “out in”, watchdog heard “out of”.


  83. Zooey Lepidoptera says:

    Rep Posey: “There is no reason to say that I’m the illegitimate grandson of an alligator.”

    I guess calling him a LEGITIMATE grandson of an alligator is okay…?


  84. Jackie says:

    Notice how no one had a problem with the Military Budget as 2 billion dollars a day was given to Iraq. Now with Obama cutting out that amount and having only 83 billion for the total there’s an out cry.

    For 7 years President Bush told Americans ” WE DO NOT TORTURE/WE DO NOT HAVE ANY SECRET PRISONS”. The Media and Press reported the same even as Foreign Media showed eveidence. Now the CIA reports WE DO TORTURE AND WE DO HAVE SECRET PRISONS. As Americans and the Media say “SO”. The future will show the same torture/secret prisons will be used against Americans by new enemies and let’s see what America and the Law Makers say then as we see nothing is done about Bush’s crimes. The Children the US tortured will grow up to hate and remember how they were treated. President Obama can try and regain the respect and honesty the US once had but history can’t be changed. What you give out you get back 7 times, that is what Bush/Cheney have left as their Legeacy for the USA.


  85. stateofthedivision says:

    Shutting the barn door after the cows got out:

    Texas health regulators hit peanut processor with record fine

    The Plainview peanut plant linked to the national salmonella outbreak this winter was assessed $14.6 million in fines — the biggest cash penalty ever levied by state health authorities, whose inspectors had found rodent bodies and droppings along with contaminated products there.

    http://www.star-telegram.com/state_news/story/1310141.html


  86. Eugene atrax robustus Debs says:

    WaltTheMan Says:

    Ah yes, that MUST be it.


  87. Jackie Morgan says:

    Electronic medical records is not a good idea.

    More and more, Obama is doing what Bush did, expanding Executive branch powers for himself and justifying it as “We’re good and they were bad”.

    Aside from the fact that we’re hoping that’s true of Obama, but he’s continuing much of Bush’s policies and abuses, we shouldn’t have to rely upon the goodness of strangers.

    We are a nation of laws, rule of law, and those laws aren’t supposed to have to hope to be enforced depending on who is in the White House.



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